Customer Questions

Hi Judy,
The first question that pops into mind is does your week include travel time to and from San Francisco? The most direct route, which goes through Bakersfield, Las Vegas, and the Arizona Strip, takes 12+ hours, each way. Going the “scenic” route stretches that to ~18 hours! You might want to break up the drive with a stop in Death Valley, or Las Vegas. Zion could also be included in the latter half of the trip, if you desire, or you might make a detour to Grand Canyon North Rim instead.

Since you are looking at a 2-day drive, each way, from SF to Page, AZ, that essentially gives you 3 days to work with out here. In that timeframe, you can tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then use another full day for a water-based activity such as the Glen Canyon Float Trip or the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour.
On that 3rd day, you could go and visit Monument Valley, which is ~a 2 hours drive, each way, from Page, AZ. Best plan would be to stay overnight, but it is doable as a day trip with an early start, and a solid plan to ensure that you leave the area by 3:00 PM to avoid driving in the dark.
Best wishes and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 23, 2019 at 5:45 PM

_________________________________________

From Judy Chiu

Hi Alley

thanks for your prompt reply. Our 1-week trip does include flying from SF to Vegas, and from there driving to Page . Will there be any modifications to our route? How about including the Arches? We afford to extend 1 or 2 days.

Thanks!

February 23, 2019 at 7:06 PM

Hi Jacky and thank you for contacting us!
A trip to Page, AZ, that factors in sufficient time to tick off all the items on your “wish list” would be 2-3 days.
Since you have seniors in your party, you should probably plan on touring Upper Antelope Canyon, that is if anyone has any mobility issues. If not, they might be able to manage Lower Antelope, but you should probably watch this Full Video Walk-Through before deciding. Horseshoe Bend can be visited the same day you visit Antelope Canyon. Keep in mind there may be parking restrictions in place due to on-going construction projects, so be prepared to adapt your plans accordingly.
Regarding Lake Powell, it is a huge body of water, and the best way to appreciate its size and majesty is by boat tour. With a full day, you could do a tour to Rainbow Bridge, but depending on the level of Lake Powell at the time of your visit, a walk of ~3 miles round-trip from the boat dock to the Bridge might be required. If the older people in your party cannot handle this, another worthwhile, family-friendly activity would be the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. This activity does have a brief stop with a walk to a petroglyph panel, but it is relatively easy and manageable for most people. It’s also optional.
Be sure to reserve all lodging and guided tours well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

February 23, 2019 at 5:27 PM

Hi Lisa,
Sorry, but you’re trying to cram too many destinations into too short a timeframe.
Zion National Park deserves at least 2 days to do it justice, but you don’t have enough time for that. It’s also a long distance away from the main attractions of Grand Staircase/Escalante, so you definitely won’t be exploring them all in one day’s time. You will, however, get to see some of the “front country” on the drive from Zion to Page, AZ. More on that in a minute.
Instead of going as far afield as Moab (Arches/Canyonlands), and since it also requires at least 3 days to enjoy fully, I’d recommend taking it off the table this time around. Instead, visit Page, Arizona and tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Plan to at least stay 1 night in Page, AZ, then visit Grand Canyon South Rim, preferably staying overnight, then continue to Sedona before returning to Las Vegas.
So a revised plan would look like this:
Day 1 – Vegas
Day 2 – Zion
Day 3 – Page
Day 4 – Grand Canyon
Day 5 – Sedona
Day 6 – return to Vegas
Be sure that you reserve all lodging and guided tours in advance of your arrival.
Best wishes and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 23, 2019 at 5:19 PM

Hi Jo,
We don’t recommend attempting to tour Antelope Canyon as a “drive-by” from Zion. It takes ~2 hours to drive from Zion to Page, AZ, at least 2.5 hours to tour Antelope Canyon, then another 3-3.5 hours to drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon. I know the timeframe for the latter segment of the drive is given as 2.5 hours on Google maps, but that figure rarely materializes since the drive is very scenic and you’ll definitely find yourself stopping to take pictures a lot. Another thing to keep in mind is that days are still relatively short at that time of year, with sunrise in Zion occurring at ~7:35 AM, and sunset in Page at ~6:45 PM. Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other wildlife.
I know you say that you can’t overnight in Page, AZ, but depending on how many days you have booked at Zion, you might consider dropping a night there so you can give Page, AZ, and its attractions the time they deserve.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 23, 2019 at 5:11 PM

Hi Eric,
Ryan is out of the office, but I’m happy to help you! I apologize for the delay in response to your query, as well. It’s been a busy week!
First off, 2 nights at Grand Canyon South Rim is sufficient for most visitors to have a fulfilling visit. Another consideration is that you’ll do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon South Rim sightseeing on the drive out to Page, Bryce, Zion, etc. This route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon you can stop at if you wish. Upon exiting the park, you might also stop at the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views and the Cut Overlook.
Since you pretty much have to pass through Page, AZ, anyway en route from Grand Canyon South Rim to Bryce and Zion, I definitely recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. You might stay a second night so you can take part in a water-based activity such as the Glen Canyon Float Trip or the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. To free up time for this, I’d recommend scratching a night off Bryce, since it is a relatively small park, and one night is usually sufficient for a thorough look-see. Regarding which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour, if your party is relatively fit, and won’t have trouble with ladders, stairs, and a few small boulders, you should be able to manage Lower. If anyone has any kind of mobility issues, then Upper is the better choice. Whichever one you choose, be sure to make your Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance.
Though Grand Canyon North Rim is beautiful, visiting it may not be practical this time around as camping options are very limited and tend to book up several months in advance. Be sure you book all your RV park reservations ASAP.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 23, 2019 at 5:05 PM

Hi Esther,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
With 2 days/1 night to work with, you can definitely accommodate Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. As for which branch of Antelope Canyon you should visit, that depends on how much physical exertion you’re willing to put forth — or not. If you’re OK with a few stairs, ladders, small boulders, etc., then you should be fine with Lower. If anyone in your group has any mobility limitations, then Upper would be your best bet. Whichever you decide, be sure you reserve your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Regarding where to stay, here again, that depends on you, your preferences, and your budget. Page, AZ hotels run the gamut from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between in price points and amenities. There are also vacation rentals, Air B&B’s, etc. For more information on available options, click on VisitLakePowell.com: Where To Stay In Page AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 23, 2019 at 4:49 PM

Hi Kelsey and thank you for visiting our site!
In light of what you’re trying to accomplish, I’d recommend dropping Arches from your itinerary. Not that it isn’t an amazingly beautiful park (it is!), but you really need about 4-5 days to do it justice, as well as nearly Canyonlands National Park. It’s simply too “far afield” in order for you to do that this time around.
I’d recommend giving at least 2 days to Page, AZ, so you can tour Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and do either the Glen Canyon Float Trip and/or the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. Then give Sedona 2-3 days of your time as well as there is a ton to see and do in that area. Going back to LA, you could easily incorporate a stopover at Joshua Tree as it’s right on your way.
When you say “go to Bryce via Springdale,” Springdale, UT, is actually on the Western border of Zion National Park, which is another park that deserves 2-3 days of your time!
In light of all this, I’d recommend revising your itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Vegas to Sedona
Day 2: 2nd day at Sedona
Day 3: Sedona to Grand Canyon
Day 4: Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
Day 5: Monument Valley to Page (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon)
Day 6: Page (Glen Canyon Float Trip or Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour) OR Page to Bryce Canyon
Day 7: Bryce Canyon OR Zion
Day 8: Zion to LAX via Joshua Tree
If you were to drop another destination off this itinerary, it would be Monument Valley, again, not that it isn’t beautiful and worthwhile, but lodging there is hard to come by.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

February 22, 2019 at 12:31 AM

Hi Sri,
Your trip looks very well-planned, with one exception: Day 4, where you’re proposing to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a “drive-by” on your way to Zion. It takes ~3 hours to drive from GC to Page, then another 2 hours to drive from Page to Zion. Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are going to take at least 5 hours to explore, and at the end of March, your daylength is going to be very short, with sunrise occurring at about 6:45 AM and sunset at around 6:30 PM. Nighttime driving should be avoided at all times due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other large, nocturnal wildlife.
Instead, I would recommend dropping that second night at the Grand Canyon and staying that night in Page, AZ. Don’t worry, you’ll still get to see a lot of the Grand Canyon since the route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half-a-dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at prior to exiting the park. In the Navajo Indian Reservation, which you’ll enter after passing Desert View Point, there are points of interest as well, including the Little Colorado River Overlook, Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, and “The Cut” Overlook. Horseshoe Bend would be right on your way into town. If unable to find parking that afternoon, you could visit it just after sunrise the following morning. Then tour Antelope Canyon, then head for Zion/Springdale.
As for your other queries, yes, Antelope Canyon will be crowded, so I hope you already have reservations for a tour!
Regarding the weather, it will be cool, and perhaps even raining or snowing, so be prepared by packing a few pieces of warmer clothing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 19, 2019 at 5:54 PM

_________________________________________

From Sri

Hi Alley

Thanks for your feedback. Even I was skeptical about Day 4 plan. I will surely adjust my plan accordingly.

Regards,
Sri

February 22, 2019 at 1:47 PM

Hello Donna and thank you for visiting our site!
Your trip looks very well-planned, there aren’t many changes I’d propose making, with a couple of exceptions:
On 03/10, sunset at Horseshoe Bend may not happen. That’s an extremely popular time for visiting the overlook, and you may find parking difficult to come by, if not impossible altogether. You might plan on visiting at sunrise the following morning. Hopefully, you’ll be staying overnight in Page, AZ, instead of planning to drive back to the South Rim. the exception of 03/11 where you’re proposing to visit Monument Valley as a “drive-by” between Page and Sedona. It takes 2 hours to drive from Page to Monument Valley, then another 3.5 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Sedona. You’ll “lose” an hour transitioning from Page, AZ, to the Navajo Indian Reservation because they observe Daylight Saving Time, whereas Page, AZ, does not, but you’ll “get it back” traveling from Monument Valley to Sedona. However, another thing to keep in mind is that your daylength at that time of year is short: sunrise occurs at ~6:30 AM and sunset at ~6:15 PM. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and wild horses on the highways. The stretch of US98A from Flagstaff to Sedona is especially twisty and turn-y, and is definitely not recommended for driving after dusk.
Monument Valley tours run the gamut from guided hikes to horseback rides and jeep tours. Which one you choose will depend on your tastes, budget, and timeframe. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find one that starts early enough so that you won’t risk arriving in Sedona too late. For a complete list of Monument Valley tour operators, visit Navajo Nation Parks: Monument Valley Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 18, 2019 at 7:00 PM

Hi Phil,
Due to the popularity of Antelope Canyon and its tributaries, such as Antelope Canyon X, Mountain Sheep Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, etc., companies that offer photography tours specifically are quite strict on who goes on them, and what they can bring. Their websites specifically state that DSLR cameras are not permissible on the photography tours. The only way I know of to have an exception made is to book a private tour, which is hard to come by for most of the tour companies since the scheduled tours are their “bread and butter.” One notable exception is Antelope Valley Canyon Tours, aka Ligai Si’Anii Tours, who manage several alternate slot canyons in LeChee, AZ. They do offer private tours, for a price, naturally. For more information, visit HikingSlotCanyons.com
As for the basic sightseeing tours, the fact that they sell out months in advance speaks volumes about how good they are!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 18, 2019 at 3:57 PM

Hi Mary, and thank you for your inquiry.
Your trip is occurring during what is, for many, the Spring Break holiday. Therefore, it is vitally important to have everything booked in advance. We’d hate to see you miss out on the best attractions, or have to drive for hours to find lodging in this very remote part of the U.S. For a first-hand account of how one family’s vacation was almost ruined by lack of planning, check out “Bryce Canyon: Why Being Spontaneous Is Not As Great As It Sounds”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 18, 2019 at 3:48 PM

Hello Lekha and thank you for visiting our site, and out state!
First off, since you didn’t specify where you were flying into from Miami, so let me recommend Las Vegas. It’s well situated to not only visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but many other beautiful parks and attractions in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
I don’t know if you have the option to add more time to this trip, but if possible, try to tack on another couple of days. 3 days will only allow you to visit the Grand Canyon and Page, and not much more. With 5 days to work with, you could also visit Zion and Bryce Canyon.
As for managing this trip on a budget, September, while a beautiful time of year weather-wise, is still considered peak tourist season. Hotels will be going for full rack rate with discounts being extremely hard to find, if not impossible. If you’re serious about saving money on travel to this area, the time to visit is winter, as in January or February. This is considered “off” or “shoulder” season and incentives abound for travelers prepared to deal with the colder weather.
But assuming that changing your travel dates and timeframe isn’t an option, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1 – drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Realistic drive time: approximately 5.5 hours. Stops to make along the way, if desired:
– Hoover Dam
– Seligman, AZ (Route 66 stalwart)
– Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams
– Planes of Fame Museum in Valle
– IMAX Movie “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan
Overnight at the Grand Canyon , preferably somewhere in Grand Canyon Village (in-park), or Tusayan (7 miles South of park)
Day 2 – Morning: sightseeing in Grand Canyon Village area, then drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Realistic drive time: 3.5-4 hours. Stops to make:
– Grandview Point, Moran Point, Zuni Point, Papago Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, Desert View Watchtower (on East Rim Drive)
– Little Colorado River Overlook
– Cameron Trading Post
– Chinle formation views
– The “Cut” Overlook
– Horseshoe Bend
Overnight in Page, AZ (for more competitively priced lodging, look to the “Street Of Little Motels”)
Day 3 – Tour Antelope Canyon – for best rates, tour at “off-peak hour” time slots, such as earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. If interested, you might also consider taking the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip and spending another night in Page, AZ, or driving over to Zion and spending the night in Springdale, UT.
The drive back to Las Vegas from Page, AZ, is approximately 4.5 hours. From Springdale, the return trip is approximately 3 hours.
As previously mentioned, if September is the only option you have for traveling to this area, you won’t be able to save much money on lodging, but one area you still have control over is food. You might consider picking up an inexpensive cooler in Las Vegas and hitting a supermarket on your way out of town to stock up on sandwich fixings and preferred beverages. That way you don’t have to spend a ton of money eating out 3 meals a day. In Page, AZ, many of the properties on the “Street of Little Motels” come equipped with full kitchens, so you can do your own cooking.
Good luck and safe travels from American Southwest!
Alley 🙂

February 14, 2019 at 3:35 PM

Hi Andrew,
You are correct in that Page, AZ, weather is still quite cold in February. What’s more, boat tours are on a limited schedule, and may be contingent on having a certain number of people booked in order to guarantee operation. Personally, I think it’s still a bit too cold for boating, but if you’re still interested, check the schedules for the two main boat tour operators in the Page, AZ, area, which are Lake Powell Resorts and Antelope Point Marina.
Not sure in which order you’re planning to hit the attractions on your “wish list,” but you can do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to or from Page. The drive naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village alone. Once you arrive at Grand Canyon Village, you can drive onto the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive and do more sightseeing, time permitting. Just South of the park in the town of Tusayan, the Grand Canyon IMAX movie is a fun family activity.
As for what you might do in Flagstaff, there’s no shortage of activities. With all the snow we’ve been getting, you might even hit the ski slopes at the Snow Bowl! For more suggestions, visit Flagstaff.com: Things To Do
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 12, 2019 at 8:30 PM

_________________________________________

From Andrew Lee

I have another question. What’s the drive like from Flagstaff to Page?
I was planning to come out to visit Page on Thursday and it looks like snow storm is coming to Flagstaff starting Thursday early morning.

I know you can’t predict the weather and road condition but do you think this is something wise for me to do? I had reservation on Thursday @ 2 for Upper Antelopes Canyon and I was going to see Horseshoe Bend in the morning. Weather seems ok on Thursday in Page area. Is it still nice to visit even during little bit of snow/cloudy weather in Antelopes and Horseshoe?

That plan is very much in limbo right now.

February 19, 2019 at 6:57 PM

Hello Dipti,
It’s good that you’re already planning to self-drive on your vacation as that is always the best way to go in this part of the country!
Using Las Vegas as your “staging city,” you could do something like this:
Day 1 – drive to Grand Canyon, stay overnight at GC (LAS-GC drive time ~4.5 hours)
Day 2 – drive to Page, AZ, tour Antelope Canyon (GC-Page drive time ~3.5 hours), stay overnight in Page
Day 3 – visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise, drive to Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce (PGA-Bryce drive time ~3 hours)
Day 4 – drive to Zion National Park, stay overnight in Springdale, UT (Bryce-Zion drive time ~2 hours)
Day 5 – spend 2nd night in Zion
Day 6 – drive back to Las Vegas (Zion/Springdale – LAS drive time: ~3 hours)
The first week of March, weather will be cold, so be prepared by packing a few pieces of warmer clothing, jacket, gloves, scarves, etc.
As to whether you should tour Upper or Lower Antelope, a 6-year-old is usually on that “dividing line” between Upper and Lower. If you think your child would be able to handle a few stairs and ladders, and scramble over a few small boulders, they should be able to handle Lower. If not, choose Upper. It is not necessary to tour both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Many Antelope Canyon Tours are already sold out, so you’ll need to act quickly. To gauge whether your 6YO would be OK in Lower Antelope, watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 12, 2019 at 8:22 PM

_________________________________________

From Dipti

Really appreciate your feedback Alley.
Thank you so much.
I do have a few questions about the itinerary. Since we’ve already been to the Grand Canyon back in 2010 our goal is to cover the Antelope, horseshoe bend, Bryce & Zion in roughly 3 days. Let me know if this plan looks doable :
Day 1 – Leave LV early and cover the Antelope Canyon and horshoe bend and overnight in Page.
Day 2 – Leave Page and cover Bryce and Zion and overnight at one of the closest motel/hotel.
Day 3 – Drive back to Vegas.

Also if the weather conditions are not favourable in Bryce or Zion we might skip that and would rather go to Monument Valley.

Can you plz recommend us any specific scenic routes. And any tips or must see places enroute.

TIA!

Dipti

March 03, 2019 at 2:56 PM

Hello Lee & Petra, and thank you for visiting.
The drive from Tucson, AZ, to Page, AZ, “on paper” takes approximately 6 hours. In reality, it could take you more like 7.5 or 8 factoring in bathroom breaks, meal stops (Flagstaff, AZ, or the Cameron Trading Post would be good candidates), and the fact that the drive is very scenic and you’ll definitely be stopping to take pictures. The earlier you can start out of Tucson, AZ, the better.
As for the time you have allotted to Page, AZ, 2 full days should be enough given what you want to accomplish. For Antelope Canyon, you might be better off doing Upper in light of your knee and your wife’s back problems. The walk through that branch of the canyon is pretty much flat the whole way, and is a 100 yard out-and-back trail. The 2-mile safari jeep ride from the highway is more exciting than the canyon tour IMO! Visiting Horseshoe Bend can be done the same day you tour Antelope Canyon. The paved, ADA-compliant trail to the overlook should be completed by the time you get here. In the event it is not, consider taking a shuttle from Page operated by Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours. They go to the overlook via Native American Tribal Lands and the walk is much shorter from there.
The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is absolutely worth it, but here again, you might be hard-pressed to fully enjoy it. Due to lower water levels, a 2.5 mile round-trip walk from the boat dock and back is required to see the Bridge. If you want to do a water-based activity, you might consider the Glen Canyon Float Trip instead. The scenery on it is beautiful, it’s just from the perspective of the Colorado River instead of Lake Powell, plus there’s less walking involved. There is a walk to a petroglyph panel mid-way through the tour, but that’s optional. If Rainbow Bridge is truly what you have your heart set on seeing, you might consider flying over it. Airplane and helicopter flights depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport. Mornings are the best time to fly for optimal light and less wind. Rainbow Bridge Air Tour
If you want to see Monument Valley, it is doable as a day trip out of Page, AZ. It is a 2-hour drive each way, and you should definitely take a guided back-country tour in order to get the most out of your visit. You might check availability of lodging in the immediate vicinity, but options are few and far between, and are likely to be sold out already.
Swinging by Petrified Forest on your way back to Tucson from Page, AZ, is definitely not recommended. That would turn a 6-hour drive into a 9-hour drive. Not my idea of fun! If possible, I’d recommend staying in one of the nearby towns, such as Winslow, AZ (as in “standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!”) or Holbrook, AZ. The La Posada in Winslow, AZ, is a lovely hotel and would make for an extra-special treat to cap off your trip. The drive back to Tucson, AZ, from there would be about 5 hours.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

February 11, 2019 at 5:28 PM

Hi Kelly and thank you for your visit.
“Am I missing anything” is a loaded question in this part of the country! In this instance, the answer is definitely yes. You’re missing Bryce and Zion, but seeing as though you’re flying into Las Vegas and out of Phoenix, it may not be practical to add them on at this point. Plus, your current plan involves too much back-and-forth driving.
Frankly, I’d recommend skipping the Grand Canyon Skywalk this time around and concentrate your sightseeing at Grand Canyon South Rim. The South Rim is where you’ll experience the iconic “picture postcard” scenery. Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk are more of a novelty attraction. Instead of staying in Williams, which is a 3-hour one-way drive from Page and 1-hour one-way drive from the Grand Canyon, I’d recommend overnighting at the Grand Canyon and Page. That way you can experience sunrise and/or sunset at these locations. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting and the possible hazards posed by deer, elk, coyotes, free range cattle, and feral horses. Where To Stay in Page, AZ Where To Stay At Grand Canyon South Rim
When you say you’re “driving to Grand Canyon South for a 3:30 pm Pink Jeep Tour,” you won’t need to do this if you take us up on the suggestion to overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim before traveling to Page, AZ. The driving route between the two areas naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, where you can stop at over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon before exiting the park at Desert View Point, or after entering the park at Desert View. If you wish to see the Grand Canyon IMAX film, which is definitely worthwhile, you can simply purchase your own tickets on site.
RE: which Antelope Canyon tour you take, if all family members are in reasonably good shape, you would probably be fine with Lower Antelope Canyon. It is longer and requires navigating a few ladders and boulders, but would probably be more enjoyable than Upper, which is just a 100 yard out and back walk. If Lower Antelope Canyon is sold out, you might consider Antelope Canyon X, which is similar in appearance and physicality to Lower, but usually is less crowded.
One day in Sedona doesn’t give you a chance to see/do much of anything. You could spend a whole week in area and still feel as though you only touched the “tip of the iceberg.” Here is where I’d recommend doing the Pink Jeep Tour as this will take you into parts of the backcountry that are not easily accessible with the typical rental vehicle. The Broken Arrow Tour tends to be the most popular, but there is a lot to choose from. You can even customize two or more into a combination tour if you wish. For more suggestions for a fulfilling one-day itinerary in Sedona, AZ, visit Sedona.net: One Day Itinerary
So, to recap with the changes I’m recommending, your itinerary would look more like this:
Day 1 – fly into Vegas
Day 2 – tour Hoover Dam, drive to South Rim, see IMAX movie in Tusayan, overnight at South Rim
Day 3 – hike part of Bright Angel Trail, sight seeing in Grand Canyon Village/Hermit’s Rest Road area, spend 2nd night at South Rim
Day 4 – drive to Page, AZ, take kayak tour, sunset at Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page,
Day 5 – take Antelope Canyon tour, perhaps tour Glen Canyon Dam, either overnight in Page, or drive down to Williams
Day 6 – drive to Phoenix for Diamondbacks game
Day 7 – drive to Sedona (2 hours from PHX)
Day 8 – fly home
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

February 11, 2019 at 4:57 PM

Hi Clara and thank you for visiting.
Honestly, taking a Greyhound and relying on a guided tour is not the best plan. Although Greyhound has improved its bus fleet in recent years, and remains an economical option for travel, their schedules still tend to be somewhat inconvenient. Case in point: their only daily departure leaves from Salt Lake City at 7:45 AM and don’t arrive in Las Vegas until ~3:00 PM. That’s if they’re running on time, which they rarely are. Salt Lake Express offers more choices of departures, and while their trip duration is comparable to Greyhound and tickets are more expensive, they offer a better class of service, if that’s a priority.
Tour companies that travel to the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon out of Las Vegas are out there, but you do not get to choose “the best way to tour.” You tour the way they tell you to, and that’s the end of it. These programs also tend to be quite rushed, giving you no leisure time whatsoever for exploration and discovery. That said, package tours can range in length from a quick overnight to 5-days. In our experience, Viator tends to offer the most in the way of choices.
All that said, though, renting a car and self-driving is really the best way to go. That way, you get to call the shots as to how you use your time and cater to your desires.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 11, 2019 at 4:28 PM

_________________________________________

From Krystal

Hi Alley,
This is the best information on any site I’ve seen. I want to plan a trip to see the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, & Horseshoe Bend. Where should I fly into, & what’s the best way to plan my trip? I will have 3 days to do this, Memorial Day Weekend, how far in advance should I book? I also need information on where to stay bc I’m lost but determined to see these beautiful places. I’m in shape so I definitely want to see Lower Antelope Canyon. Any suggestions will be Greatly Appreciated.
Thanks,
Krystal

February 28, 2019 at 12:17 AM

Hi Patrick, and thank you for your excellent inquiry.
Antelope Canyon waterside tours, such as the kayak tours and boat tours, do not include the hike into the slot canyon sections. To fully enjoy and appreciate Antelope Canyon, you should definitely plan on booking a tour of one of the slot canyon sections, such as Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or Antelope Canyon X. For more information on these, visit “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

February 11, 2019 at 4:11 PM

Hi Avni,
If you’re in decent physical shape, then Lower Antelope or Antelope Canyon X should be just fine for you. The two are similar in appearance and exertion required. There are ladders and stairs strategically placed to assist you if/when you need to climb.
Doing both a land-side slot canyon tour and a waterside tour of Antelope Canyon is an excellent way to gain an appreciation for the complexity of the landscape. Antelope Canyon is actually a multi-branched drainage system that includes several slot canyons, Antelope X is one. In April, Lake Powell usually isn’t quite warm enough for swimming; average water temperature is 54 degrees F at that time of year, but then again, it’s too soon to call. Start monitoring Page, AZ, local weather and Lake Powell Water Data about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. That will give you the clearest idea of what to expect.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 08, 2019 at 3:57 PM

Hi Beth and thank you for visiting our site.
First observation, right off the bat, is that you have too much time at the Grand Canyon. Instead of making the drive from the Grand Canyon to Zion with a “stopover” in Page for an Antelope Canyon tour, I’d recommend dropping a night at the Grand Canyon and overnighting in Page, AZ. That way, you’re not under so much pressure to get up earlier than you’d like in order to make your Antelope Canyon tour, you could simply do it the following morning after you arrive in Page, AZ, then head to Zion at your leisure, which is fairly easy since it’s only ~a 90 minute drive (a hop, skip, and a jump in this part of the country LOL). You’ll do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page, and can visit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town. Keep in mind that the main parking lot at Horseshoe Bend is temporarily closed so some ongoing and overdue construction projects can be completed. You’ll have to park in an alternate lot, then take a shuttle to the overlook for $5/person. For more information, visit HorseshoeBend.com: Temporary Lot Closure and Shuttle Another option would be to visit the overlook after 4:00 PM, or prior to 9:00 AM the following morning.
RE: the bike tour at Grand Canyon South Rim, I personally have not taken it, but IMO, you can accomplish just as much be utilizing the free shuttle service that goes to the viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Road. If you’re looking for a Grand Canyon tour with a lot of “wow” factor, I’d recommend an airplane or helicopter tour. These don’t fly below the rim, but nevertheless will show you areas of the Grand Canyon that are virtually inaccessible by any means.
I’m thinking the Narrows won’t happen for you in March, especially in light of the fact that local rivers will be receiving large amounts of snowmelt in early spring, therefore the Virgin River will probably be flowing too fast, and the water will be too cold. If you’re looking for another “grand-daddy of all Zion hikes,” and no one in your party is afraid of heights, you might try doing Angel’s Landing. It’s definitely challenging, and the views from the top can’t be beat, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Even if you decide against that hike, there are tons of other beautiful hikes in Zion you can do. Or going to Bryce for a day is certainly an option, just keep an eye on the weather up there. At 8,000′, it gets a lot of snow.
No matter what you do/where you go, be sure to pack a few pieces of warmer clothing since late March is still in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring. Weather can still be quite cool, especially in the higher elevations.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 06, 2019 at 8:55 PM

Hi Mike,
First off, the time of year you’ve chosen is wonderful: good weather (usually), thinning crowds that consist mostly of grown-ups… good stuff 😉
In light of the fact that you are all experienced and fit hikers, I’d say stay away from the main branches of Antelope Canyon. These will still be crazy-crowded, and I’m not sure you’d want that. Instead, you might consider touring Canyon X and Cardiac Canyon. The former is similar to Lower in physicality and appearance; as the name of the latter implies, the degree of difficulty is quite high, but it sounds as though you’d be up for it. Both canyons are managed by Taadi’di’in Tours and can be combined into one long tour should you desire, and IIRC they might grant you group discount. For more information, visit www.AntelopeCanyon-X.com or phone 928-660-8890.
I know that you stated that you wanted to make this a day trip, but if you do take us up on the suggestion to visit Canyon X and/or Cardiac, you might want to rethink that and spend the night in Page, AZ. That way you can rest after the challenging hike instead of face a 3-hour drive back to Sedona. Where To Stay in Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 04, 2019 at 8:46 PM

_________________________________________

From Mike

Thanks Alley !

Those sound like great options. I checked out the link you sent and they look awesome. I need to call them to see if we book the Cardiac Canyon hike if that includes Canyon X. Regardless, these look good.

Thank you so much for your advice !!!

Mike

February 04, 2019 at 10:21 PM

Hi Josh and thank you for your compliments!
Not knowing how much time you have to devote to this trip, I’m kind of stabbing in the dark here, but since you are a. traveling during the summer months and b. doing so with family, I’d recommend spending one night at Grand Canyon South Rim, and 2 nights in Page. The latter suggestion is in order to take part in the following activities:
– Antelope Canyon tour
– Horseshoe Bend
– Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip
For Antelope Canyon, you are required to visit with a tour outfitter licensed by the Navajo Indian Tribe. This is a very popular attraction, so tours must be reserved in advance of your arrival. How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend may be visited in your own vehicle at your leisure, but since parking at the overlook tends to be crowded during the mid-day hours, you might wish to consider utilizing a commercial shuttle service from Page, AZ, or other alternate means of getting there. Horseshoe Bend Shuttle Horseshoe Bend Trail Rides Horseshoe Bend Scenic Flights
The Glen Canyon Float Trip is offered twice daily during the summer months, but it gets VERY hot in Glen Canyon during the summer months. Therefore, taking the morning departure of this tour is recommended for optimal safety and comfort. Check-in is required at 6:00 AM for a 7:00 AM departure, which returns to Page, AZ at approximately 1:00 PM.
As for Utah parks you might wish to add to your itinerary, Zion and Bryce Canyon are popular choices, 90 minutes and 2.5 hours from Page, AZ, respectively. Time permitting, you might also consider adding Monument Valley to your “to-do” list. The possibilities are almost endless out here! For more suggestions, check out our “Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary In Northern AZ and Southern UT”
Do let us know if you have further questions!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 04, 2019 at 4:06 PM

Hi Joe!
With 5 days to work with, you can certainly accomplish a lot.
Assuming your first 2 nights are given to Grand Canyon South Rim, you should then plan on spending one night in Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. Just so you’re aware, the main parking lot at Horseshoe Bend is temporarily closed due to some construction projects taking place, so you’ll need to park in an alternate lot and take a shuttle to that area.
For your next two days, you could do one of two things: spend 1 night in Bryce Canyon, and 1 night in Zion, or spend 2 nights in Zion. Weather will most likely be a prime determining factor as to whether you can and/or wish to visit Bryce. At 8,000′ ASL, it tends to get a good deal of snow. Best case scenario, it’s quite cold, so you’d need to be prepared with warmer clothing. Ditto for the Grand Canyon.
As to where to spend the night, inside the park is always most desirable at Grand Canyon South Rim, seconded by Tusayan/aka Grand Canyon Village South. Grand Canyon hotels
For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, overnighting in the town of Page, AZ, is best for convenience and number of services.
In Bryce Canyon, there’s only one lodge inside the park and it’s probably sold out already. There are a number of hotels located in nearby gateway communities, though. Bryce Canyon lodging The situation is similar at Zion. Springdale, UT, is the optimal lodging choice as this will put you only 3 hours away from Las Vegas when it comes time to fly home for your trip (assuming that’s where you’re staging out of).
Be sure to book all hotels and guided tours ASAP, and start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
Good luck and have a safe trip!
Alley 🙂

February 01, 2019 at 3:55 PM

_________________________________________

From Joe

Hi Alley,

Thank for your feedback.

Here’s some additional info and thoughts since my last post.

We’re driving from Florida , arriving on Monday, 03/18. Heading back on Friday, 03/22.

Here’s the initial plan. (Very flexible)

Day 1: (GC South) Arrive mid-day, check in, relax, view sunset. (Yavapai Lodge already booked)

Day 2: (GC South) View sunrise, relax and wonder around all day.

Day 3: (Page, AZ) Depart early from GC, drive to Page, AZ. Stop at Horseshoe bend, then mid-afternoon tour lower Antelope Canyon, rest of the day – wonder round.

Day 4: (Monument Valley, UT) Depart Page, drive to MV. Drive the 17 mile loop. Take a tour (jeep or horseback. Any recommendations on tour company) – Check into The View, relax, visit Forrest Gump Hill and other sites.

Day 5: Unknown. (Flexible day) Head back to Florida early evening.

What do you recommend (sites/destinations/attractions) to best take advantage of our time?

How would you organize the week?

We’re very flexible.

BTW, is the skywalk worth the visit/drive?

Really appreciate you input.

Thanks,

Joe

February 02, 2019 at 12:42 AM

Hi Leah,
First of all, it is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. There are many other attractions in the area that warrant a visit, such as Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, the scenic Lakeshore Drive Loop on Lake Powell, the John Wesley Powell Museum, the “New” Wave, and the Navajo Village Heritage Center… just to name a few.
If you do have your heart set on touring both branches of Antelope Canyon, the good news is they are not located far apart from one another. It’s a good idea to leave about 1 hour between tours in case of delays, or if you’d like to have a chance to grab a bite to eat. There aren’t many restaurants in the immediate vicinity of Antelope Canyon with the notable exception of Antelope Point Marina and the Deli at the Big Lake Trading Post.
For optimal convenience, you should tour Upper Antelope Canyon with one of the tour companies that operates directly from the Tribal Park Entrance instead of Page, AZ. These are Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours and Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours. Both Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters are located at the Tribal Park Entrance, which is a short distance down US98 from Upper.

Whatever you decide, be sure to make any and all tour reservations well in advance of your vacation. Don’t be surprised if you find Antelope Canyon tours are already sold out. If you find this to be the case, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 30, 2019 at 4:37 PM

Hi Molly and thank you for visiting our site. Sorry to hear that your reunion isn’t coming to fruition, but glad to see you’re trying to get something positive out of it.
I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to travel, but if your trip is scheduled for late spring or summer, you might try your hand at applying for a Wave permit online. Lottery submissions are taken four months prior to the calendar month in which you wish to hike, so if you were wanting to hike sometime in June, February would be the month in which you’d want to apply. How To Get A Wave Permit
In the likely event you do not succeed in getting a permit for The Wave, fortunately, there is a plethora of beautiful scenery in the immediate vicinity that doesn’t require a permit to explore, including but not limited to White Pocket, Soap Creek, Pinnacle Valley, Sidestep Canyon, and more. The thing that is required, or at least strongly recommended, is a vehicle with 4WD and a beefy enough suspension to handle the deep sand and other obstacles you’ll encounter in these areas. The safer bet is to go with a licensed tour guide out of Page, AZ, Kanab, UT, or Paria, UT. Which one you use will most likely come down to where you are staying. For a complete list of tour guide companies, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com: Hire A Guide
A couple of areas within easy access of La Verkin that were not mentioned above that you might consider are Snow Canyon State Park and Yant Flats, aka the “Candy Cliffs.” Yant Flat in particular boasts some rock formations that bear a strong resemblance to The Wave. It’s ~45 minutes from La Verkin.
On Sunday, where you mention wanting to visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, that is not necessary in order have a fulfilling to Page, AZ. You’re looking at a 5-hour drive from there to Las Vegas, and you don’t want to be doing any of that drive in the dark. Plus there are lots of other attractions in Page, AZ, that warrant a visit, such as Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, the “New” Wave, the John Wesley Powell Museum, and the scenic Lakeshore Drive Loop, just to name a few.
If by chance you find yourself with an extra day to occupy, I’d recommend trying to work Bryce Canyon into your itinerary. It’s only a couple of hours from La Verkin, or 90 minutes from Kanab.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

January 30, 2019 at 4:22 PM

Hi Mickey,
Great question!
The waterside of Antelope Canyon is within the boundaries of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, aka Lake Powell. You do not need a permit or guide, per se. You only need to pay the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area entrance fee, which is good for one week’s time. However, having a guide would probably make for a better quality experience due to the guides’ first-hand knowledge of the idiosyncracies of paddleboarding in this environment, as well as other sights you might enjoy in addition to Antelope Canyon.
The landside of Antelope Canyon is on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, so you would need to take a guided tour in that area. However, the slot canyon (land side) is not readily accessible from the waterside, so the two should be considered separate entities and activities.
Now, when you say you were “hoping to SUP down the river into the canyon,” Antelope Canyon is a tributary that empties into Lake Powell. You access the waterside by launching somewhere on Lake Powell, such as Antelope Point Marina (the most sensible since it is closest) or Lake Powell Resort & Marina, formerly known as Wahweap Marina. If you were wanting to SUP on the Colorado River, you can do so from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry by using a backhaul service from Page, AZ. Wilderness River Adventures is one of several companies that provide this service.
For more information on SUPing in Lake Powell and the surrounding area, visit SUP Connect: Paddleboarding Lake Powell and Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 29, 2019 at 4:02 PM

Hi Cathy,
Surprise! Long drives are an almost unavoidable fact of life out here.
If you’re asking if it’s possible to take an Antelope Canyon tour the same day you drive to Zion, the answer is yes — in theory, anyway. As you’ve hopefully realized, Page, AZ’s slot canyons are very popular attractions, and Antelope Canyon tours do sell out weeks, sometimes months in advance. “Help! Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out” Fortunately, during the summer months, when days are longer, the tour companies tend to offer early morning tour departures for those with other places to go and things to see. In June, for example, tours start as early as 6:00 AM. The drive to Zion would then take approximately 2 hours, so if you don’t have anything time-sensitive already scheduled in Zion for that afternoon, you should make it with daylight to spare.
By the way, you might also plan on visiting Horseshoe Bend that morning before touring Antelope Canyon. Parking at Horseshoe Bend has gotten to be quite a hassle of late, and you may find all spaces full by the time you arrive. Just something to be aware of.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 28, 2019 at 6:33 PM

Hi John and thank you for visiting us!
I totally understand wanting to see and do as much as possible, especially if your visit to the American Southwest is a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience for your UK friends. That said, your plan is OK, but warrants a few small “reality checks,” as well as some modifications for optimal safety, comfort, and enjoyment.
First off, if your flights arrive into Phoenix at 6:00 PM, I’d recommend that you simply spend the night there and head for Grand Canyon South Rim the following morning. The drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon takes ~4.5 hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona for several reasons: 1. artificial/supplemental lighting is deliberately kept to a minimum on local roadways in order to preserve the natural qualities of the night sky. 2. Deer, elk, free range cattle, feral horses, coyotes, and other wildlife are notoriously nocturnal and getting into a collision with one is something best not risked. Sunset in early September occurs at around 6:45 PM. It would be better IMO to rest up that evening, especially if your British companions are still shaking off jet lag. Then make that long drive when everybody’s a little fresher. Whichever you decide, be sure you make your Grand Canyon lodging reservations well in advance of your arrival.
If you want to try your hand at getting permits for The Wave, you can apply for the online lottery in July if you wish. With a party of 6, though, I have to tell you that that reduces your odds of getting a permit by any means quite dramatically. Another thing to keep in mind is that September is considered prime hiking season in the area, and people know that. Competition for permits will be even more vigorous then. By the way, some of the “alternate” areas you’ve listed – The Second Wave, The Alcove, Top Rock Arch, Melody Arch and the Grotto, Sand Cove, and Fatali’s Boneyard – are within the Coyote Buttes Special Management Area, so without a permit, you won’t be seeing them. The good news is, there are lots of other areas nearby that are just as spectacular, but don’t require a permit to visit, such as White Pocket, Soap Creek, Sidestep Canyon, Pinnacle Valley, or Alstrom Point, just to name a few. Physical degree of difficulty varies widely, but one commonality is the recommendation for a 4WD/high clearance vehicle to get to these sites. If you’re driving a rental car, you’d void your insurance just attempting the journey, so it is best to go with a licensed tour outfitter.
Where you indicate that you’d do “the float trip and Rainbow Bridge” in one day, that won’t happen for you due to overlapping schedules for these activities. During the summer and fall months, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour departs at 7:30 AM and returns at approximately 2:30-3:30 PM depending on the water level of Lake Powell. The Glen Canyon Float Trip departs twice daily at 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Check-in for all activities is required one hour prior to departure. Long story short, you’d have to choose one or the other water-based activity, and if pressed, I’d recommend the Glen Canyon Float Trip, because there’s still a way you can see Rainbow Bridge without doing the boat trip: fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport and can show you not only Rainbow Bridge, but the Glen Canyon Dam, a good chunk of Lake Powell, and Horseshoe Bend. You might also inquire about chartering a flight over not only these locations, but The Wave as well. Yes, that would be expensive, but with the odds of your getting a hiking permit being what they are, and this most likely being your UK friends’ only opportunity to see The Wave, it might prove to be a worthwhile investment of both time and money.
Where you say that you’d “stay in Hatch or Orderville depending upon how late we leave from Bryce Canyon,” that won’t work. You need to have hotel reservations in advance for each stage of your trip. Again, September is a very busy time of year in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, so hotels will be sold out by the time you arrive. A place that might be a little more conducive to your plans is Kanab, UT. It is centrally located between Bryce and Zion, so you’d be well situated for making the drive to Las Vegas with a detour in Zion.
The drive from Las Vegas to Phoenix would then take ~4.5 hours.
Sorry if my comments seem like they’re a bit “all over the place,” but I hope they are helpful. Feel free to contact us again for further guidance.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

January 28, 2019 at 4:28 PM

_________________________________________

From John Colowich

Hi Alley,

Thank you so much for your input and advise.
We have shared your input and my British friends are very excited about the trip and they would get over the jet lag and willing to do their best to keep up with us. After reading your advise, we have a few more questions.

1. How do we get the permit to see these areas you mentioned?
The second wave you mentioned is different than second wave in Page near the dam?

“The Second Wave, The Alcove, Top Rock Arch, Melody Arch and the Grotto, Sand Cove, and Fatali’s Boneyard – are within the Coyote Buttes Special Management Area, so without a permit, you won’t be seeing them.”

2. Driving on Saturday to Grand Canyon Village during night.
I understood your concern about night time driving in the country roads. How about staying in Flagstaff on Saturday?
I thought driving I-17 Interstate highway at night should not pose problems of meeting elk and deer.

3. We are going to stay in Page perhaps for 3 nights to see other places you mention. Is it reasonable to drive Monumental Valley after viewing Lower Antelope Canyon on the same day and coming back to Page to stay in the same place? Is it too much driving in a day?

Thank you, John.

April 18, 2019 at 7:20 PM

Hi Jade, and thank you for your inquiry!
If you want to include Sedona in your itinerary, with only 5 days to work with, that will mean sacrificing one item on your “wish list.” Seeing as though The Narrows might not be doable at the time you’re traveling, I’d recommend crossing Zion off the list as an overnight, but you might still include it on your itinerary. More on that in a minute…
Assuming you already have flights booked in and out of Las Vegas, you can accommodate Sedona into your itinerary by doing something like this:
Day 1 – Travel from Las Vegas to Sedona, approximately 4.5-5 hour drive, overnight in Sedona
Day 2 – Drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, approximately 3.5 hour drive, overnight at Grand Canyon (no, you do not need a permit just to stay on the rim)
Day 3 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, approximately 3 hour drive, overnight in Monument Valley
Day 4 – Drive to Page, AZ (~2 hour drive), visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page **Monument Valley will be on Daylight Saving Time, Page, AZ, will be on STANDARD TIME in April, you will “gain” an hour going from MV to Page.**
Day 5 – Drive back to Las Vegas, with a detour through Zion National Park, ~6-7 hour drive.
As you have correctly deduced, availability – or lack thereof – of Grand Canyon lodging will probably be the biggest determining factor on the feasibility of your plans. If you find Grand Canyon hotels booked on Day 2 of the above itinerary, you might consider “flip-flopping” the order in which you visit these sites, and hit Page, AZ, first, then Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Sedona, etc. Another option, though not ideal, would be to visit Grand Canyon as a “drive by” between Sedona and Monument Valley. That would mean making a 6-7 hour drive in one day’s time.
As you can also see, the above itinerary has you packing up and moving every day. If you want to build some “chill time” into the trip, Sedona would be the place to do it, but you’d probably end up sacrificing one of your stops in order to pull it off. The most likely candidate would be Monument Valley, not because it isn’t beautiful (it definitely is!), but lodging is also relatively scarce in that area.
Whatever you decide, be sure to make all lodging and Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance of your visit.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 28, 2019 at 3:48 PM

Hi Edward and thank you for your inquiry.
You might encounter some light shafts in Upper Antelope Canyon in March. However, it’s doubtful that they will reach all the way to the canyon floor. That tends to be a late spring/summertime phenomenon, which is rendered moot on a cloudy day. Due to Antelope Canyon’s extreme popularity, we recommend making reservations as soon as possible. Since late March is Spring Break for many schools, tours might already be sold out in the main branches of Antelope Canyon. If your tour happens to be cancelled due to extremely bad weather, your tour price will be refunded. However, a little rain or a few clouds shouldn’t dissuade you from enjoying your tour. There’s no such thing as a bad time to go!
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂

January 28, 2019 at 3:29 PM

Hi Heather,
The price of $28 refers to the child’s price for touring Lower Antelope Canyon. The adult price is ~$50 when you factor in the base tour price, plus the Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee. The tour companies also charge a “processing fee” for making reservations online, I’m not sure what exactly that is, $ amount-wise.
In order to accommodate both the Glen Canyon Float Trip and Lower Antelope Canyon into your itinerary comfortably during the summer months, you should plan on arriving in Page, AZ, the day prior to your planned activities and staying overnight. Where To Stay in Page, AZ Then, plan on taking the morning departure of the Glen Canyon Float Trip in order to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures in the canyon. Check in is required at 6:00 AM, approximate return time is 12:00 noon. Allow at least 60-90 minutes to grab lunch and drive to the Navajo Tribal Park entrance for Lower Antelope Canyon on US98. The interior of the canyon tends to remain constantly cool, plus there are shade canopies near the mouth of the canyon to protect you from the sun and heat. Nevertheless, be sure everyone in your party is wearing wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and is carrying water.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

January 28, 2019 at 3:22 PM

_________________________________________

From Heather Skiba

Yes, thank you! We will be arriving the night before and staying the night of for one completely full day.

January 30, 2019 at 10:22 PM

Hi Tay,
The more time you can spend, the more you’ll get out of your visit here! You need at least 3 full days to pull off all the items on your “wish list,” and if you have more time to spare, that’s even better.
One full day is sufficient at the Grand Canyon, because you’ll actually be doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page. The route naturally takes you along the East Rim Drive, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon you can stop at before exiting the park at Desert View. After crossing the park boundary, you’ll be in Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, where there is even more to see, including but not limited to the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Souvenir Stand, the Cameron Trading Post (good brunch/lunch stop), Chinle formation views and The “Cut” Overlook. On your way into town, try and stop by the Horseshoe Bend Overlook if parking is available. If the parking lot is full, consider other means of getting to the overlook such as shuttle services from Page, AZ, horseback rides, or scenic overflights. “Help! There’s No Place To Park At Horseshoe Bend” The total drive time from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, is given as 2.5 hours on Google maps, but don’t be surprised if it ends up taking more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours with all the stops you’ll invariably make.
For touring Antelope Canyon, that can be accomplished in one day’s time. Also, it is not necessary to tour both Lower and Upper in order to have a satisfying visit to Page, AZ. Best to choose one branch of the canyon, then use your time for seeing and doing other things, such as Glen Canyon Dam tours, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, taking the scenic Lakeshore Drive loop along Lake Powell (Glen Canyon Entrance fee required for that activity), hiking to the “New” Wave, among other things. Whatever you decide, just be sure to make your Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance of your arrival.
As for Angel’s Landing in Zion, you are very likely to encounter snow on the trail in February, especially on the upper section, which is the most dangerous part. That said, even if you decide to forego the hike to Angel’s Landing, I would still recommend visiting Zion. It is a beautiful park with plenty of other lovely hikes to enjoy. If you can, try to allocate at least one full day for Zion, with an overnight in Springdale, UT.
However, don’t be surprised to find that you’ll wish you’d given the park another day or two. There’s a lot to see and do there, and one day will only allow you to partake of a small sampling of all it has to offer.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 28, 2019 at 3:09 PM

Hi Bo Bo and thank you for visiting our site!
My first impression is that you’ve got way too much driving required to pull this off, especially with young children in tow.
On Day 1, for example, you’re proposing to do at least 9 hours driving from SF to Las Vegas. Are your kids going to be OK with sitting in a car for that long? If so, this itinerary might work. If not, you might want to consider breaking up your first day’s drive somewhere like Sequoia National Park, maybe overnighting in Three Rivers, CA.
It will then take another 5 hours or so to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, on Day 3. Take an Antelope Canyon tour in the afternoon, then visit Horseshoe Bend the following morning. RE: which branch of Antelope Canyon you should tour, it depends on how much hiking your party is willing to do – or not do. Upper Antelope is an easy, flat 100-yard walk to the end of the canyon and back. There is a 2-mile buckboard truck ride required to get to the mouth of the canyon. Lower Antelope is longer (~600m), and more physical: you must be able to navigate several ladders and do some simple bouldering to enjoy it fully. It’s a good idea to watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing. Whichever you decide, advance reservations should be made ASAP.
Now if you absolutely have to get back to San Francisco by Day 5, you’d probably have to drop Bryce Canyon from your “wish list.” It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon. It would then take another 4-4.5 hours to drive to Las Vegas from Bryce Canyon. As it is, you’re still looking at a 12-hour drive to get from Page, AZ, back to San Francisco, with a possible stopover in Barstow, CA.
Long story short, it would be best if you could add at least a couple more days to your itinerary in order to make it feel like a vacation instead of a long drive for essentially one day of touring. I know, I’m originally from California myself and took my share of road trips and remember that 4-5 hours in the car was pushing it, and I liked traveling.
Now onto my second impression: the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from this itinerary. Have you already been there? If not, I recommend prioritizing it first. After all, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. In terms of drive time, it will be about the same as driving to Page, AZ. Obtaining advance reservations in either place will be a must, and one word of warning: you’ll probably have to get two hotel rooms. Arizona State fire codes prohibit more than 5 people staying in one room. Page, AZ, has vacation rental homes, but Grand Canyon hotels do not. Just something to be prepared for.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 26, 2019 at 3:58 PM

Hey Roger,
Antelope Canyon is located in Northern Arizona, a few miles Southeast of the town of Page. You can get there from other cities in Arizona and Nevada by tour packages, such as the Canyon River Adventure (the page you happened upon). However, to enjoy maximum freedom and flexibility, self-driving is really the best way to go. That way you can enjoy other attractions near Antelope Canyon, such as Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, and Lake Powell, on your schedule and not somebody else’s.
Since Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, a licensed tour guide is required for all parties to enter. Also, because it is a very popular attraction, advance reservations are strongly recommended. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
With all there is to see and do in Page, AZ, you can easily fill two days with fun and exploration! Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ
Hope that clarifies things. Please do not hesitate to write again should you have more questions.
Alley 🙂

January 25, 2019 at 3:09 PM

Hi Brenda and thank you for visiting us!
First of all, it takes ~5 hours to drive over from Las Vegas, so hopefully you’re planning on staying at least one night in Page, AZ. Horseshoe Bend can be visited anytime, in your own vehicle… in theory, anyway. In reality, parking can be quite a hassle at Horseshoe Bend during the hours between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Therefore, using an alternate means of getting to the overlook is strongly recommended, including taking a shuttle from Page, AZ, taking a trail ride, or a scenic overflight.
As for Antelope Canyon tours, there are a number of companies who offer walking tours to different branches of the canyon. Which one you travel with depends on how much exertion you’re willing to endure – or not, plus availability of tours – or lack thereof – will be a major deciding factor in which company you travel with. For more information, recommend you read “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

January 24, 2019 at 2:53 PM

Hi Alina,
Yes, Navajo Antelope Canyon tours is a perfectly reliable tour company to join. They do not pick up in Page, but directly at the Tribal Park Entrance on US98 Southeast of Page.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 23, 2019 at 6:22 PM

Hi Larry!
If you are able to pick and choose when to visit, I would suggest October. It is typically marked by dry, stable weather and pleasant temperatures, not to mention crowds that consist of mostly adults. In the spring, you run the risk of encountering a late season snowstorm, and Spring Break crowds. Whatever you decide be sure to reserve space at RV parks and campgrounds along your trip route. Although days are usually nice that time of year, nighttime lows are starting to creep down to the 40’s or occasionally below freezing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 21, 2019 at 10:55 PM

_________________________________________

From Larry Funk

Thanks Alley. October sounds inviting. When you spoke of 40’s for lows, was that Spring? I assume October would be good for the Big Five as well.

January 23, 2019 at 3:36 PM

Hi David,
With the time you have, and considering that you’re flying out of Phoenix after visiting Page, AZ, I’d recommend taking a little side trip to Sedona. It’s an absolutely stunning area, with lots to see and do. Normally, the drive from Page, AZ to Phoenix takes ~4.5 hours. With the detour through Sedona, that will extend your drive time somewhat, but I’d still recommend getting an early start out of Page so you can maximize your time in Sedona (sunrise occurs shortly after 6:00 AM) Trust me, once you see Sedona, you’ll be planning a return visit so you can spend more time! Many visitors who spend 4-5 days, or even a week, report feeling as through they only touched the “tip of the iceberg.” Whatever you decide to do, make sure you get to Phoenix by sundown. Nighttime driving should be avoided outside the major cities in Northern AZ due to the lack of ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range horses and cattle, and other wildlife on local roadways.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 21, 2019 at 5:25 PM

_________________________________________

From Dave

Alley
Appreciate the feedback. So do you think on my day back south from Page by taking ALT 89 south out of Flagstaff down thru Sedona & then enjoy The Red Rock Scenic By Way on Hwy 179 back to 17 would be more than enough to see/take pictures etc. to fill up my time with getting to Phoenix before dark by itself? Or in addition could one add a 2 hr. jeep tour out of Sedona to get a little closer view? I don’t want to be rushed in what I see.
Thanks
Dave

January 22, 2019 at 10:57 PM

Hi Maite,
With one day to work with, you can definitely hit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, but Monument Valley will be a stretch. It’s a 2-hour drive – each way – from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, so while it’s doable as a day trip, it really deserves its own day to do justice to. Unfortunately, lodging in the Monument Valley area is scarce, and hotels might already be sold out. If that’s the case, you might still be able to work it in. More on that in a minute…
As for the Grand Canyon, you are correct, it’s very big! The Grand Canyon Skywalk, though novel, does not represent the “true” Grand Canyon, which is Grand Canyon National Park. Since you’re already planning to come to Page, AZ, anyway, you should visit either the North Rim or the South Rim. Either side is ~2.5 hours drive from Page, AZ. The North Rim is a bit further away from Las Vegas (~5.5 hours), and lodging options there are fewer in number and smaller in scale. The South Rim, on the other hand, is ~4.5 hours from Las Vegas, and offers more of a choice of lodging, dining, and recreational opportunities. Whichever side you opt to visit, lodging should be booked in advance of your arrival. Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels
Regarding Monument Valley – while it sounds as though you won’t have time to visit it by car, there’s still a way you might get to see it anyway, and that’s to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplane flights are operated out of the Page Municipal Airport by Westwind Air Service. Overflights run ~90 minutes in length and include Rainbow Bridge and Lake Powell as well. For more information, visit Westwind Air Service Tours From Page/Lake Powell (you have to scroll about half way down the page to get to the Monument Valley tours).
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 21, 2019 at 5:18 PM

Good day, Darwin,
Yes, you absolutely must have reservations to tour Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon, and many other slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area, are situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, therefore you cannot simply “drive there and do things on your own.” What’s more, these tours are very popular, so waiting to make reservations until you arrive in Page, AZ, is a surefire recipe for last-minute scrambling since many tours are sold out already! If you find that to be the case, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
As for difficulty of access, if you mean how difficult is it physically, that depends on which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour. If you tour Upper Antelope Canyon, for example, that’s an easy, flat 100 yard walk, out and back. Lower Antelope Canyon is more challenging, it’s longer (600m), and requires that you navigate several ladders and step over/around a few boulders. It’s manageable for most people in relatively good health. To gauge whether you’d be able to manage it, watch this video of a Full Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon
Other activities you might consider to round out your time in Page, AZ, include but aren’t limited to touring the Glen Canyon Dam, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, taking one of several easy but scenic hikes in the area, and taking the scenic Lakeshore Drive around the Southwestern flank of Lake Powell. Ultimate One Day Itinerary in Page, AZ
In addition to your Antelope Canyon tour, be sure you book lodging in Page, AZ, in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 21, 2019 at 5:08 PM

Hi Rachel and thank you for visiting our site. Wow – first big family vacation?! That’s exciting – we’re glad you’ve chosen Arizona for it!
First off, because of the size of your party, it’s even more crucial that every leg of your trip’s lodging and guided tours are reserved in advance. You may also find it necessary to book two hotel rooms in a lot of places. State fire codes forbid more than 5 people sleeping in one traditional hotel room. Some hotels have suites designed for families, or you might find vacation rental homes or B&B’s to be a viable alternative to hotel rooms. Just something to keep in mind as you make your plans.
So, on your first day, instead of driving to Flagstaff, I’d recommend driving to Tusayan or Grand Canyon Village and overnighting at the Grand Canyon. You definitely want to be on the canyon rim for sunset and/or sunrise! Flagstaff is 90 minutes away, and nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range horses and cattle, and other wildlife on local roadways.
When you say “tour part of the lower rim Grand Canyon,” I’m assuming you are referring to the inner canyon, below the rim? If so, the Bright Angel Trail will be the best trail to hike. It’s easiest to find, is well-traveled, and has drinking water piped in every 1.5 miles on the upper half of the trail. 1 hour down = 2 hours back out. Food and water must be carried if you plan on spending any more than 1 hour’s time or going further than a mile round-trip down the trail. That said, you probably won’t be inclined to do this particular activity on the same day you drive over from Las Vegas. You’re looking at at least a 5-hour drive, and if you’re coming from the East Coast, you might be a bit jetlagged. I’d plan on taking it easy that night, maybe catch the IMAX movie if you’re staying in Tusayan, then doing your exploration the following day.
On your drive day from Grand Canyon to Page, I know the drive time is given as 2.5 hours, but in reality, it typically ends up being more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. That’s because the drive is very scenic, and there are multiple photo ops along the way, such as over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints, all different and beautiful, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post (great brunch/lunch stop!), Chinle formation views, the “Cut” Overlook, and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. As to whether you can squeeze a kayak tour in on this day, you would need to be certain to get an early enough start out of the South Rim in order to pull it off. Fortunately, sunrise occurs at ~5:15 AM in May. The latest departure for most kayak tours is around 3:00 PM, so you’d want to be sure your Antelope Canyon tour ends with enough time for you to get down to the Marina and check in for your tour. If you have any reservations at all about being able to do that, you might save the kayak tour for first thing the following morning.
As for hiking The Narrows in Zion, May is a good time to do it, but be sure that your family is thoroughly briefed on the equipment recommendations for optimal safety and comfort. For lodging on this leg of your trip, Springdale, UT, will probably be your best bet since it’s on the Western border of the park, putting you ~3 hours from Las Vegas, plus it has more choices than other Zion gateway communities.
And yes, since your husband is an active duty Marine, you get a free annual park pass from the National Park Service.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 21, 2019 at 4:57 PM

Hello Olga and thank you for visiting our site.
With both kids and seniors in tow, a good plan for a 2-day visit to Page would include:
Antelope Canyon Tour
Horseshoe Bend Overlook
Glen Canyon Dam
A water-based activity
For the last item on the list (water-based tour), instead of doing the Antelope Canyon boat tour, you might consider doing the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip instead. It features different scenery from the Antelope Canyon boat tour, and though it doesn’t traverse any rapids, it is still a fun and memorable trip for families like yourselves. The kids will even get the chance to take a dip in the Colorado River, if they’re able to brave the cold water 😉
With the extra time you have, I’d recommend visiting Bryce Canyon or Zion, before returning to Vegas.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley

January 21, 2019 at 4:29 PM

Hi Scarlette,
If you absolutely have to do both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon – which isn’t necessary to have a fulfilling visit to Page – then make sure that both tours depart from the Tribal Park Entrance Gate on US98. If you do an Upper Antelope Canyon that picks up and drops off in Page, AZ, that adds another 30-60 minutes to get back to Lower Antelope Canyon for check-in. If I remember correctly, the 10:00 AM Upper Antelope time slot is held by Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, which is one of the companies located at the canyon’s entrance on US98. If that’s who you’re booked with, then you should be fine. Hopefully, there won’t be any unexpected delays occurring on the day you tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 18, 2019 at 7:22 PM

_________________________________________

From Scarlette Liu

Thank you very much Alley : )

I plan to book the upper tour with Tsosie Antelope Canyon Tours (looks like downtown in Page) and the low tour with Ken’s Tour (close to Entrance Gate). Is the tour you mentioned better than Tsosie Antelope Canyon Tour?

Additionally, I am wondering if there is any big difference between Lower tour starting from 13:30 and the one starting from 14:00?

Thank you again for the prompt reply!

Have a great day!
Scarlette

January 18, 2019 at 10:48 PM

_________________________________________

From Scarlette Liu

Forgot to mention, the reason that I plan to do the upper and lower in one day is that I could have time to take an aerial tour the next day.

January 18, 2019 at 10:55 PM

Hi Barb,
That is really weird, because now I can’t find my reply! Hate to ask this, but can you tell me again what your original question was?
Sorry, will let our webmaster know what’s going on…
Alley 🙁

January 18, 2019 at 7:09 PM

_________________________________________

From barb

My original question was about taking 2 days to see the lower antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. You had suggested stopping by Zion on the way back to add a little something to our trip. My next question was would it be too much to do both lower antelope and horseshoe bend in 1 day the spend the next full day in Zion or maybe even Sedona?

January 21, 2019 at 8:27 PM

Hi Joanna and thank you for visiting us!
So I’m going off the assumption that by “the 6th through the 12th,” you’re referring to February. Because the attractions you list are a long ways away from Las Vegas, and not day trips, renting a car and driving yourself will give you optimal freedom and flexibility to relax and enjoy yourself.
Here’s what I would recommend:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with a stop at Hoover Dam, overnight at Grand Canyon. Drive time: 4.5-5 hours
Day 2: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Drive time on Google Maps is given as 2.5 hours, but realistically, it ends up being more like 3.5-4 hours due to the numerous photo opportunities you’ll encounter on the trip, including, but not limited to the half-a-dozen+ named Grand Canyon viewpoints, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post (great brunch/lunch stop!), Chinle formatoin views, The “Cut” Overlook, and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Overnight in Page, AZ
Day 3: Tour Antelope Canyon (make a reservation ASAP, some Antelope Canyon tours are already sold out!). Spend a 2nd night in Page, AZ.
So here’s where Rainbow Bridge gets “tricky.” There is no vehicular access at all to Rainbow Bridge. The only way to visit the bridge in person is by boat. If you are visiting in February, you should be aware that at this time of year, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tours only go out on Saturdays. Due to the present level of Lake Powell, tour duration is 8 hours and requires ~3 miles hiking round-trip from the boat dock to the bridge. If this is not practical for you, then you might consider flying over it. Rainbow Bridge Air Tours are offered by fixed-wing airplane and helicopter. While they do not land at the bridge, flight tours offer an expedient and exciting way to tick Rainbow Bridge off your list, and get a truer sense of how huge Lake Powell really is.
Day 4: Either drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours), or, time and/or desire permitting, you might take another day or two to visit Zion National Park. It it not too much of a detour between Page and Las Vegas, and it is a beautiful park, one we strongly recommend visiting if this trip is a “once in a lifetime” adventure. The most convenient location for lodging is Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park. The drive back to Las Vegas from Springdale, UT is ~2.5 hours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 17, 2019 at 6:11 PM

Hey Missy!
Thank you for your excellent inquiry, and congratulations on your impending bundle of joy <3 Pregnant women have toured Lower Antelope Canyon successfully, but in doing so, you assume all liability for your own safety, and that of your baby. If you were visiting the area in June or July, I’d say forget it, it’s too hot. From the way your question is worded, though, I’m assuming that your visit will take place in February, which eliminates the concern about heat.
The other alternative would be to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, but that involves a 2-mile buckboard truck ride down a bumpy dirt road, which is definitely not recommended for women in the later stages of pregnancy.
Watching this full walk-through video is certainly a good way to prepare for visiting Lower Antelope Canyon, but I’d also recommend showing it to your OB/GYN and allowing him/her to weigh in on it.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

January 17, 2019 at 5:50 PM

Hi Rachel and thank you for visiting us!
Your trip looks quite well-planned, and it’s good that you have your hotels reserved already. Still, I’d recommend a couple of modifications for maximum enjoyment of your trip for all your family.
First off, on the sections of your trip where you’re driving to Bryce then Page, then to Sedona via the Grand Canyon, you might want to rethink that. I know you specified not wanting to pack up and move every day, but that might actually be the better way to go for safety and comfort’s sake. For example: the drive from Zion to Bryce is ~2 hours; the trip to Page from Bryce is ~2.5 hours, but those are “on paper” figures. They rarely materialize IRL as both legs of the drive are very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find your self stopping to take pictures. You could find yourself running out of daylight by the time you complete your sightseeing in Bryce, and daylength is still on the short side at that time of year (sunrise is at 7:15 AM, sunset at about 8:15 PM in Utah). Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, coyotes and other wildlife. You might consider overnighting closer to Bryce Canyon, then heading to Page the following morning.
Ditto for the plan to drive from Page to Sedona with a stopover at the Grand Canyon. You’re looking at 5 hours of driving minimum (2.5 hours Page to GC, 2.5 to Sedona), but it’s more likely to end up being 7 hours – or more – due to the numerous photo ops along the way. The Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon is particularly scenic, with over half a dozen named viewpoints you can stop at. Better to overnight at Grand Canyon, then maybe swing over to Meteor Crater then down to Sedona the following day (~3.5 hour drive). Swimming at Slide Rock SP probably won’t happen at the time of year you’re visiting; the water will likely be too cold. But, you can at least walk down to the creek. It’s still a pretty hike.
Speaking of cold water, you are correct that the water in Lake Powell is cold at the time of year you’re visiting, but the Glen Canyon 1/2-Day Float Trip (if that’s what you were considering) takes place on the Colorado River, where the water is even colder – 47 Fahrenheit, year-round. Since the trip does not go through any white water, though, you won’t get wet unless you choose to. The air temperature in April is quite pleasant (usually), so, long story short, if you can work this tour back into your itinerary, I’d strongly recommend it. It’s a nice relaxing family activity, and considered a “must-do” for most visitors to Page. At the time of year you’re visiting, there are two daily departures: one at 7:00 AM (6:00 AM check-in), and one at 1:00 PM (12:00 noon check-in).
Keep in mind, also, that Utah DOES observe Daylight Saving Time, but Arizona doesn’t, so you’ll “lose” an hour crossing the state line from Nevada to Utah, then “gain” it back going from Utah to Arizona.
As for places to stay in Sedona, lodging options run the gamut from simple cabins to over-the-top spa type properties, so it all depends on your tastes and budget. Just don’t wait too long to reserve a place, though. April is a busy time in Arizona, and places will sell out.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

December 17, 2018 at 2:34 PM

Hi Alley,
Thank you SO much for this fantastic info. We have revisited our itinerary as per your suggestion and booked ourselves outside the GC for one night to allow for perhaps more GC in the am and then either driving to Meteor Crater or straight to Sedona (my vote) for less drive time. It will be a gametime decision.

For some reason, my husband is opposed to the raft ride on Lake Powell, I guess just time of year so we are keeping 2 nights on Lake Powell and braving that drive (oh Lord!). Due to the cooler temps in Bryce, we aren’t sure how much time we will even spend there since it’s quite possible there may by snow on the ground. So our drive to Lake Powell might take place mid afternoon. Sad we won’t see sunset there, but it seems we are traveling at a cooler time of year.

Thank you again for your time and thoughtful response…so very helpful!
Happy holidays and Happy New Year!

December 18, 2018 at 12:16 AM

_________________________________________

From Alley Keosheyan

Hi again, Rachel,
Too bad you’ll miss the float trip, but, then again, maybe you can plan a return trip for a multi-day Grand Canyon white water rafting trip! As for the weather, yes, it could be all over the place, so having the flexibility to make, as you so aptly put, a “gametime decision” is definitely to your advantage.
Best of luck to you in the New Year and let us know how your trip goes.
Alley 🙂

January 17, 2019 at 5:32 PM

Hi Aleksandra, and thank you for your inquiry!
It’s great that you apparently have plenty of time to experience the scenery and attractions of this area at a nice, relaxed place. The first thing to establish before you commit to this plan, however, is rental car drop-off rates. Quite often, rental car outlets charge pretty hefty fees for returning vehicles anywhere other than where you picked them up. This is due largely to the remoteness of the area, and the long distances between cities.
Since you are traveling in February, you should definitely keep some “wiggle room” in your schedule in case you are delayed or detoured at any stage of your trip by winter weather. Snow is a very real possibility at that time of year, especially at the Grand Canyon, since it is 7,000′ above sea level. Be sure to pack a few items of warmer clothing for your safety and comfort. Also, start monitoring local weather conditions about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. Grand Canyon weather
For the Sedona leg of your tour, “must” do activities include, but certainly aren’t limited to, backcountry jeep tours, easy but scenic hiking, art galleries, wine tastings (yes, that’s a thing!), and shopping. For suggestions, I recommend www.VisitSedona.com With an early enough start out of Phoenix, you might consider making a stop at Montezuma’s Castle National Monument. It’s not too far off the interstate, plus it’s a fascinating park, with its focal feature being a very well-preserved multi-story cliff dwelling, estimated to be about 800 years old. A detour through the former ghost town of Jerome, AZ, and the former State Capitol of Prescott, AZ, would not be too hard to do, either, or you could see these as a day trip out of Sedona.
One day in Page, AZ, would probably be sufficient since the majority of boat tours are on seasonal hiatus during February. Antelope Point Marina still runs Antelope Canyon waterside tours on a regular basis (may be contingent on a certain number of passengers booking), but those are only 1 hour long. You can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town, parking permitting, or visit it first thing in the morning on your way out of town. Lower Antelope Canyon tours must be booked in advance of your arrival. Since these depart from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98, you could easily do both the waterside boat tour and the landside walking tour back-to-back (allow about 1 hour between tours so you can grab lunch at the marina), availability permitting. Page, AZ, lodging should also be booked in advance.
On the drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim, you’ll do the majority of your Grand Canyon sightseeing. The distance is 150 miles, but the drive usually ends up taking 3.5-4 hours due to the plentiful photo opportunities between “point A” and “point B.” Plan to stop at the Cameron Trading Post on the Navajo Indian Reservation for lunch/brunch, and have your phone or camera fully charged to capture the over half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints you’ll encounter between the park entrance at Desert View Point, and Grand Canyon Village. Time/desire permitting, you might also explore a bit of the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive and visit some of those viewpoints as well. This 8-mile spur road is normally closed to private vehicles, but since you’re visiting in the off-season, you can drive out there unescorted. It is best to stay in the park at Grand Canyon Village if at all possible; if these properties are full, then Tusayan/GC Village South is your next best option. Grand Canyon hotels
On the drive back to Las Vegas, Seligman, AZ, might make a worthwhile detour if you or any of your party members are into Route 66 history. A stop at Delgadillo’s Snow-Cap Drive-In is a definite must for a burger and a laugh. The swing through Seligman will add ~90 minutes to 2 hours on what is normally a 4.5 hour drive.
Hope all that helps. Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂

December 15, 2018 at 5:17 PM

_________________________________________

From Aleksandra

Thank you, so much for your quick reply, I will review your suggestions and might come back with more questions 🙂

December 15, 2018 at 5:45 PM

Hi Vikrant,
See my reply to your earlier inquiry 🙂
Alley

December 15, 2018 at 4:27 PM

Hello Vikrant and thank you for your visit!
With a 1-year-old in tow, you will be somewhat limited on your options, which is entirely for their safety. Still, you should be able to have a fun and memorable trip to this area.
First off, if you have your heart set on seeing Grand Canyon North Rim, you will have to schedule your trip for June. The visitor facilities at the North Rim do not open until May 15th, and they typically book out 1 year in advance. You might be able to find availability at the Kaibab Lodge (20 minutes North of the park) or Jacob Lake Inn (1 hour North), but if those properties are also full, you may want to save the North Rim for another time when you are able to make plans further ahead of time. Grand Canyon North Rim Hotels
The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is another item on your “wish list” I would recommend saving for another trip, specifically, when your youngest is a bit older. Though younger children are allowed on the tour, it’s not recommended for children under the age of 4, mainly because it’s a very long tour (6-7 hours depending on lake level), and the hike from the boat dock to the bridge itself can be anywhere from 1-1.5 miles EACH WAY, again depending on the level of Lake Powell. Somebody would probably end up carrying the 1-year-old, which would be quite taxing, especially in June, when it’s extremely hot. If a boat tour is what you were specifically wanting to experience, you might consider one of several shorter tours, such as the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise or the Antelope Canyon Waterside tour. If it was Rainbow Bridge that you were specifically wanting to see, a more efficient way to do so would be to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, usually first thing in the morning, and can take you over Rainbow Bridge, and a significant area of Lake Powell, in just 30 minutes. Children under 2 travel free as long as they’re seated on the lap of an adult. Rainbow Bridge Air Tour
As to the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, this area is easily incorporated as a “drive-by” en route from Grand Canyon North Rim to Page, AZ. Even if you don’t stop at the North Rim, you can route your drive from Las Vegas to Page so that your itinerary takes you past the Vermillion Cliffs between Jacob Lake and Marble Canyon, AZ. Time permitting, you might even drive up to the Colorado River’s edge and wade a short way into the water, just to say you’ve done so 😉 Don’t go too far in, though, the water in the river is very cold!
Of the branches of Antelope Canyon, Upper is the one that is safest for young children, as you’ve deduced. It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. With any extra time you find, you could visit the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center, the John Wesley Powell Museum, the Wahweap Overlook, or the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook (aka the “White House” overlook locally). All the afore-mentioned areas may be visited by car. Antelope Canyon, however, does require a guided tour, which should be booked well in advance of your arrival. Upper Antelope Canyon tour outfitters do allow diaper bags to be brought, but they must be left in the vehicle while you are touring the canyon.
Horseshoe Bend is best visited first thing in the morning due to the fact it gets very crowded at mid-day and parking might be difficult or impossible to find.
Regarding your diet, as long as you’re OK with dairy products like yogurt, cheese, etc., you should have no problem being accommodated at local restaurants. If you are vegans, and eat no animal products whatsoever, you might want to call ahead to restaurants where you’re interested in dining to determine if they would be compatible.
For lodging with kitchenettes, you might visit VRBO, Flipkey, or Homeaway to browse availability of vacation rental homes. Many Page, AZ, rental homes require a 2-night minimum stay. If this does not appeal/is not possible, you might consider staying at one of several motels in what’s known as the “Old Quarter” of Page, AZ. These motels are actually apartments that have been re-purposed for tourists, but for the price of a traditional hotel, you get a unit with separate sleeping areas, and a full kitchen, stocked with pots, pans, dishes, etc. The only property not listed on that link, since it was in a change of ownership at the time, is the Desert Canyon Inn, formerly known as Debbie’s Hideaway.
So, all that said, with 1 day at Grand Canyon North Rim and 1 day at Page, AZ, you can have a wonderful visit to Northern Arizona. If you decide to leave the North Rim off the table, just plan on staying in Page, AZ for 2 nights. Even with the limitations on what you can/should do, you’d still have a great time.
I hope I covered all your inquiries!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

December 15, 2018 at 4:27 PM